April is here and there are some awesome outdoor activities going on at our local parks. From hikes, tours, Toddler programs and more, there are something for all ages as well as family fun opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy nature.
April Calendar of events at OC Parks:
April 15, 18, 22, 25, 29 – Modjeska House Tour (10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
A Docent-led tour of the historic house and grounds at 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630-2534 (949) 923–2230. Cost is $5 per person and advanced reservations are required call (949) 923-2230. Directions provided with reservations. https://www.ocparks.com/modjeskahouse/
April 4, 11, 18, 25 – Guided Interpretive Hike (10 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
Join our naturalists on a nature walk and learn about the local plants, animals and history of Irvine Regional Park. Light to moderate walking on both paved paths and trails at Irvine Regional Park. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869. Cost is $5 per vehicle and all ages are welcome. Meet at the Nature Center near the OC Zoo; parking lot 19 Website: www.ocparks.com/irvinepark/
April 18, 25 – Campfire Program (8 p.m – 9 p.m.)
Every Saturday night, join us for a campfire program that may include a slide presentation, wilderness safety, games and activities for children, animal adaptations, skins and skulls, a live animal demonstration and a chance to visit the Nature Center. Topics may vary weekly and all ages are welcome. Cost is $5 per vehicle. Location: Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Website: www.ocparks.com/caspers/
April 19, 26 – Ranger Led Nature Hike (8 a.m. – 9 a.m.)
Join our Park Rangers Sunday mornings for an easy 1-mile hike on the Nature Trail. The trail takes visitors through grassland, oak woodland, riparian and sandy cactus scrub communities. Cost is $5 per vehicle. Location: Caspers Wilderness Park. 33401 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Meet at the Old Corral Day Use Area and wear comfortable clothes, hiking shoes, sunscreen, water and insect repellent. Website: www.ocparks.com/caspers/
April 9, 16, 23 – Tideland Tykes (10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
A Toddler program that involves a fun-filled parent and child experience that may include arts and crafts, storytelling, hands-on activities or outdoor nature walks. Come prepared for an exciting outdoor experience! Cost: Cost: $5 per student Parking: Free Ages 2 to 5 years recommended. Space is limited and registration is required. Please call (949) 923-2275, or email [email protected] to register. Location: Upper Newport Bay. 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 Website: https://www.ocparks.com/uppernewportbay/ Contact: (949) 923-2290
April 10 – Down on the Farm – Preschool Program (10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.)
Come learn all about farm animals including chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, and more! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts, and meeting zoo animals up close! Cost is $5 per child and includes admission to the Zoo. Parking is $3 per vehicle Contact: (714) 973-6846 Program is designed for ages 3 to 4 years old. PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. Parent must accompany child for duration of program. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo. Location: Orange County Zoo. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869 https://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/
April 11 – Wildlife Walk: Tracks (9 a.m. – 10 a.m.)
Join us on a walk to search for animal tracks. We will learn about identifying some native animal tracks, discuss other types of possible animal evidence, and make track rubbings that everyone can take home with them. This program is for kids ages 5 – 10, however everyone is welcome. Parking: $5 per vehicle Location: Yorba Regional Park. 7600 E. La Palma, Anaheim, CA 92807 www.ocparks.com/parks/yorba/
April 12 – The Mysterious World of O’Neill Regional Park (9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.)
Have you ever wondered “where are all the wild animals in the park?” Visit a Show and Share Exhibit located next to the O’Neill Park Nature Center and discover mysterious clues animals leave behind. Make a wild animal track mold and enjoy nature crafts and games. Location: O’Neill Regional Park. 30982 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678 www.ocparks.com/oneillpark/ Parking: $5 per vehicle
April 15 – Magnificent Mammals – Preschool Program (10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.)
Come learn all about animals covered in fur! Class includes hands-on learning, fun crafts and meeting zoo animals up close! Cost: $5 per child (one parent included) Parking: $3 per vehicle PHONE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Call Marcy Crede-Booth, Education Coordinator at (714) 973-6846. Please note the Easter-themed classes fill up quickly! For ages 3 to 4 years old. Parent must accompany child for duration of program. Additional parents/siblings/family/friends must pay admission fee to enter zoo. Location: Orange County Zoo. 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869 https://www.ocparks.com/oczoo/
April 17 – Tot Walk (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
Join Ranger Zak along with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers and bring your young ones (infant to age three) to explore Aliso’s wild backyard. We will see bugs, animal tracks, plants, birds and have all kinds of outdoor fun! Parking: $3 per vehicle Location: Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 https://ocparks.com/alisoandwoodcanyons/ Online reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park Ranger Headquarters, 28373 Alicia Parkway (from southbound Aliso Creek Road, turn right on Alicia Parkway, first right on Awma Road, left into parking lot). For questions, call (949) 497-8324 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
April 18 – Keep It Wild Volunteer Day (8 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
Come on out and help restore the wild lands we so enjoy! There’s no better way to start a Saturday morning than by joining Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks staff in an invigorating project of non-native plant removal and/or planting native plants. Help us make a healthier environment for the native wildlife and for ourselves. Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Website: www.ocparks.com/lagunacoast/ Special Instructions: Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Little Sycamore Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I 5/405). For questions, call (949) 497-8324 Mon – Fri or (949) 923-2235 Sat – Sun.
April 19 – Young Field Biologist Series: Early Earth Day Hike (8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.)
Celebrate the upcoming Earth Day by assisting the park’s Resource Specialist with fun field studies at the Ranger Station and in Aliso Creek. For this installment, we’ll scoop water from the creek to survey aquatic insects, check our wildlife camera, and examine watershed environmental issues. Bring your camera and a notepad to document and compare your findings. Minimal hiking (1/2 mile, 50-ft. elevation gain). Location: Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 https://ocparks.com/alisoandwoodcanyons/ Reservations required, sign-up online: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Ranger Headquarters (newly renovated staging area!), 28373 Alicia Pkwy (from southbound Aliso Creek Rd, turn right on Alicia Parkway, first right on Awma Road, then left into parking lot). For questions, call (949) 497-8324 M-F or (949) 923-2200 Sat – Sun.
April 25 – Earth Day at Peter and Mary Muth Center (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Join us for the 25th Annual Earth Day Celebration at the Bay presented by Newport Bay Conservancy in partnership with OC Parks. Science discovery and craft booths, scavenger hunt, live entertainment, Newport beach film festival environment films and food trucks. Location: Upper Newport Bay. 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 https://www.ocparks.com/uppernewportbay/
####
OC Parks
The OC Parks system encompasses 26 regional, wilderness and historical facilities, as well as coastal areas throughout the County of Orange in California. Featuring nearly 60,000 acres of parkland, open space and shoreline, Orange County’s award-winning parks and programs are enjoyed by millions of residents and visitors each year, in ways as diverse as the parks themselves. https://www.ocparks.com
